The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently released a study revealing corporate giving trends. Even though companies donated 4 percent more last year, these gains still falter when compared with 12 percent growth between 2009 and 2010, revealing donations remain primarily flat.

Among other interesting trends revealed by the study were that product donations from corporations are rising at a quicker rate than cash contributions, up 15 percent in 2011. The biggest product donor was Pfizer, the Chronicle reports, with $3.1 billion.

Wal-Mart was the biggest cash donor in 2011, contributing $342.4 million, up 7.2 percent from its totals in 2010, the survey found. Just after the retail discount giant was Goldman Sachs Group with $337.1 million in 2011, which was a 6.9 percent rise from the 2010. The third-largest corporate donor was ExxonMobil with $232.7 million, up 17.1 percent year-over-year.

Moreover, the study indicates that corporate donations aren't likely to surge within the next year because while 27 percent of leaders say their companies plan to allocate a greater portion of their budgets to giving, 2 percent say they will cut back and 70 percent of leaders indicated it will likely stay the same. During times when budgets are tight, firms can ensure their dollars are used most effectively with a fundraising for non profit program that enables them to audit accounts and disperse dollars easily.